Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have completed another mission inspecting Ukraine’s high-voltage substations, which are critically important for the operation of nuclear power plants and ensuring the country’s nuclear safety.
This is reported by Finway
Documenting the Consequences of Attacks on Energy Infrastructure
During the monitoring mission, IAEA inspectors recorded and thoroughly documented the consequences of missile and drone strikes from the Russian Federation aimed at key substations. These facilities play a crucial role in electricity distribution and meeting the needs of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
“The latest monitoring mission at key facilities of NEC ‘Ukrenergo’ was completed by experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Inspectors recorded and documented the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on high-voltage substations that provide power output and meet the needs of Ukrainian nuclear power plants,” the statement said.
Extent of Destruction and Calls for Increased Sanctions
The head of the board of NEC ‘Ukrenergo’, Vitaliy Zaychenko, emphasized that all damages to critically important substations ensuring the uninterrupted operation of Ukrainian nuclear power plants were demonstrated to IAEA representatives. He expressed hope that the international documentation of destruction and the strong reaction from the global community would contribute to strengthening sanctions against Russia and serve as an additional deterrent for the aggressor state.
Since the beginning of the full-scale aggression, the Russian Federation has carried out 155 attacks on substations important for nuclear safety. Since February 2022, at least 127 incidents have been recorded that posed a direct threat to nuclear and radiation safety. Among them are 23 instances of loss of external power supply to nuclear power plants and 25 cases of direct strikes and shelling of industrial sites of nuclear power plants or areas in close proximity to them using drones, artillery, and missiles.